SuVolta announces more energy-efficient chip

As electronic devices become smaller and offer more and more features, controlling their power consumption is key.

Monday Los Gatos-based startup SuVolta announced it has developed a new technology that allows it to make microchips more energy-efficient. It relies on a modified transistor.

"The technology that cuts the power in half, but you get the same performance. So that means you can put twice as much on your mobile phone and half the same battery life," said SuVolta CEO Dr. Bruce McWilliams.

SuVolta says its technology will reduce chip power consumption by at least 50 percent. Last month, Intel announced a new transistor that cut consumption by about a third.